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Getting lambs off to a fast start

Getting lambs off to a fast start. Dan Morrical Iowa State University. Lamb losses and Profit. Baby lamb losses 10-25 % per year most of the losses are before 72 hrs without records you do not know. Lamb Mortality Study, Rook. 1986/3600. McNay Death Loss by Seasons 1995. Winter Lambs

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Getting lambs off to a fast start

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  1. Getting lambs off to a fast start Dan Morrical Iowa State University

  2. Lamb losses and Profit • Baby lamb losses • 10-25 % per year • most of the losses are before 72 hrs • without records you do not know

  3. Lamb Mortality Study, Rook 1986/3600

  4. McNay Death Loss by Seasons 1995 Winter Lambs 251/lambs/124 ewes Fall 148 Lambs/ 81 ewes Spring Lambs 151 lambs/74 ewes

  5. Goals of Late Gestation Ration 1. Healthy, vigorous ewes 2. In condition for heavy milking • Healthy, vigorous lambs of moderate size. • High vitamin E status

  6. Results - Serum E ewes • Con E-G E-L E-GL • Pretreatment 1.27 1.26 • Pre-lambing 1.51a 1.91b • Post-lambinga .93a 1.13b • Mid-lactation .97a .95a 1.28b 1.37b • Milk e at 3 days 10.8 15.1 • a,b Row means with different superscripts differ (p<.05).

  7. Results - Serum E lambs Con E-G E-L E-GL 3 days 1.08 1.08 28 days .41 .38 1.33 1.33

  8. Birth Weight on Livability Best 11.4 pounds VPI 1 pound increase in birth weight = 4%  in death loss Texas A & M

  9. Birth Weight & Feedlot Performance Birth Weight SmallMediumLarge 8.58.6-13.313.4 Wt. gain/ .69 .75 .82 day of age Feed eff. 4.8 4.3 3.8 U. of Kentucky

  10. So what is the right birth weight? • Depends on: • ewe size • type of birth • Singles 7% of dam wt. • Twins 6.5% of dam wt. • Triplets 5.5% of dam wt. • 175 ewe single 12-13 • twin 11-11.5 • triplet 9-10

  11. Goal of Lambing Season Management “Maximize Lamb Livability” Starts before lambing What you do can not raise number born

  12. Causes of Death • Starvation • Poor ewe condition • Weak ewe or lamb • Plugged teats • Mastitis • Mis-mothering • Poor suckling

  13. Prevention: Weak or Starved • Adequate ewe nutrition (i.e. good condition) • Energy level of diet • Crossbreeding • Exercise • Weaning management

  14. Prevention: Weak or Starved • Pre-lambing shearing • Observation • Condition score • Dryer environment • Lamb indoors • Easier nursing • Intake

  15. Trouble Shooting-Use the Thermometer • Normal temp. - 101° - 102°F • Elevated temp.-above 103°F (think infection) • Cold Lambs - mild hypothermia 99°-102°F - severe hypothermia below 99°F

  16. Mild Hypothermia 99°-102°F 1) Remove and dry 2) Supplement warm dry heat (100°-103°F max. temp.) 3) Tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum (20 mls/lb.) 4) Return when rectal temperature is normal (1-3 hours) 5) Assure future nutrition

  17. Elevated Temperature-above 103°F - or animals showing clinical signs - assume infectious process - probably pneumonia, joint ill or liver abscess - LA200 1/2cc/10 lb. under the skin given daily for 4-5 days - Long acting penicillin 1cc/10-20 lb. under the skin given daily for 4-5 days - Assure nutrition and hydration

  18. Severe Hypothermia-below 99°F • *Under 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat warm dry moving air 100-103°F tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum return when temperature normal 1-3 hours assure future nutrition

  19. Severe Hypothermia-below 99°F *Over 6 hours old remove and dry supplement heat with warm dry moving air 100-103°F max tube feed 120-200 ml colostrum CAUTION inject 40 ml of 20% dextrose into body cavity 1 inch beside and 1 inch behind navel, 20 ga 1 inch needle return when rectal temp. normal 1-3 hours assure future nutrition

  20. Solution - Observation • Paint brand • Cubicles & lambing jugs • Shear pre-lambing • Stomach tube • Proper feeding at lambing & weaning • Selenium status

  21. Stillborns/dystocia Symptoms of dystocia yellow fleece causes - Fat ewes, Poor hybrid vigor Was it truly born dead? check lungs and feet Stillborns Two types -infectious -hypoxia (observation)

  22. Solutions • Condition score • Observation • Intercom, video camera • Feed antibiotics • Vaccinate against vibrio, EAE • BoSe ?????? • Assist after 30 minutes in labor

  23. Abortion Diseases • Iowa Camphylobacter (vibrio) Enzootic abortion in ewes (EAE) Toxoplasmosis

  24. Solutions • Vaccinate vibrio/EAE • Closed flock • Late gestation feed antibiotics • (5 mg/lb. if abortion occurs) • Sanitation • Isolation • Pray

  25. Pneumonia • Causes Poorly ventilated buildings Inadequate space Wet bedding

  26. Solution • 20 ft.2 area for ewes with lambs • Sulfa water treatment • Open up barn • Use more bedding • Pre-lambing shearing

  27. Antibiotics • 60-65 mg/day • 6 weeks prior to lambing • Results 65-73%  in lamb losses Univ. of Wyoming S.D. State univ.

  28. Intestinal Disorders - Causes • Wet bedding • Stress • Solutions- Lime jugs Adequate colostrum (esp. Ecoli) Vaccinate ewes CI. perfringens C & D toxoid Increase space and bedding Relieve stress

  29. Equipment & Supplies • Colostrum • Lamb Reviver i.e. stomach tube • Thermometer • Head Snare • Ropes or dog choke collars

  30. Equipment...cont. • Lubricant • Cubicles • Gloves • Intercom • Bonding Pens

  31. Equipment...cont. • Grafting Stanchion • Hot box / incubator • Towels • Biologicals

  32. Lambing Problems • How Do You Know? • 1 - Length of labor • 2 - Position of feet • Toes up okay • Toes down backwards • Tail first backwards • One foot first • Nose first

  33. Newborn Management 1 - Colostrum intake - minimum 2 ounces/8 pounds - ideal 10% of BW first 24 hrs. 2 - Clip - Dip - Strip castrate early 3 - Lambing Jugs 4 x 6, 5 x 6 4 - Observe often 5 - Check for inverted eyelids

  34. Weaning • Wean early 60 days or less Dry up ewes prior to weaning Remove protein Remove energy Remove water ?

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